B738, Birmingham UK, 2020

B738, Birmingham UK, 2020

Summary

On 21 July 2020, a Boeing 737-800 flight crew identified significant discrepancies when comparing their Operational Flight Plan weights and passengers by category with those on the Loadsheet presented. After examining them and concluding that the differences were plausible based on past experience, the loadsheet figures were used for takeoff performance purposes with no adverse consequences detected. It was found that a system-wide IT upgrade issue had led to the generation of incorrect loadsheets and that ineffective communication and an initially ineffective response within the operator had delayed effective risk resolution although without any known flight safety-related consequences.

Description

On 21 July 2020, the flight crew of a Boeing 737-800 (G-TAWG) being operated by TUI Airways on a passenger flight from Birmingham to Palma noticed a significant discrepancy (1,606 kg) between the estimated weights on their Operational Flight Plan and those on the loadsheet, the latter being lower. Having carefully examined the various differences and rationalised the likely origin of various discrepancies, they used the loadsheet figures for calculating the takeoff performance figures and the subsequent departure and flight proceeded normally and an error in the derivation of the loadsheet weights was only identified subsequently.

Investigation

It was noted that the 41 year-old Captain had a total of 10,262 hours flying experience which included 2,615 hours on type. The corresponding experience of the First Officer was not recorded.  

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